Excellent drive, whish you would of slowed down besides the downtown to get a better view. When you come to Toronto, I,ll take shots ontop of my Challenger 67. LOL...
I use to go down Independence Blvd/Expressway sometimes when I went to college. During that time I probably saw one bus use the bus lanes on that highway.
Very well done! That stretch of 77 between 85 and 277 is always nerve-wracking ever since they narrowed the lanes to squeeze in that HOV lane back in 2004 and you have people zooming by at 75+ mph. Also, Independence Expressway will eventually be a full freeway to 485 and connect to the new Monroe Bypass toll road. Independence has always reminded me of roads back up in NJ with Jersey barrier in the median (i.e. Route 17 in Bergen County, NJ). Excited to see what else you filmed!
@FreewayJim Another cool view of the skyline is I-77 SB after exiting from I-85 SB. You get a nice glimpse of the buildings as you fly over I-85. When's the next Charlotte video coming? And will you have anything on the I-485 stack junction south of town? I believe it's tallest junction between Atlanta and D.C.
@TarHeelWire Thanks, the next video will probably be this weekend, Monday at the latest. The video after that will have the I-77/I-485 stack but I have that on a previous video as well. I think the I-95 at VA-895 interchange just south of Richmond at the Pocahontas Bridge might be taller than 77/485, but not 100% certain.
@Freewayjim You're right, the 485 stack was probably tallest when it first opened in 1996. That Richmond stack is definitely taller now. Funny thing is the only reason the Richmond stack is so tall (one of tallest in U.S. I'm sure) is b/c there's a ship terminal located just to the north of the interchange on the James River so the stack had to be high enough for the ships to get under it. If they built it a mile farther north, that wouldn't be an issue. I'm sure they did it intentionally, haha
@Freewayjim I don't have exact numbers but the more I think about it the ramp from I-26E to US-17N near the Ravenel Bridge in Charleston might be as high or close to it with regards to the 77/485 interchange.
@aswchris Thanks, Charlotte is the banking/financial center of the southeast and will become more of a force nationally as time goes by, some say it's already there.
Based on what I've seen from both you and Cosmophotography, Charlotte has pretty nicely designed freeways. I'm a bit surprised though, that the connection from I-77 to I-277 is a tight loop ramp. NCDOT will probably get around to upgrading that interchange in the future. Thumbs up for also including US 74; I had always wanted to see what it looked like (I've only seen traffic camera images of it).
@keokiracerhalsteren Not really, there is no uniform update, different states updated things at different times and some are still making upgrades and some places like Houston for example are on their 3rd wave of upgrades.
@Freewayjim Okay. I just assumed it because Ive seen a lot of videos (like 100+) and most of the latest updates were in the 80s. I guess Ive been watching the wrong vids :P
Im gonna watch more of your vids now, even though its 3 AM here :P
@keokiracerhalsteren Atlanta had a huge upgrade project in the 80's (Free The Freeways) as did Baltimore but like I said, it's different with other cities/states, there is no "National" project. Boston built the Big Dig 1995-2004, Pittsburgh has never really upgraded and Texas is constantly upgrading to name a few. Glad you enjoy the videos!
@Bryant5493 Thanks Bryant, I don't think the the Smoky Mts Expressway video really needs an update, what would you suggest? I don't plan on going there either, at least not this year.
Suprising video, there, since you haven't told us beforehand. But, it's a nice city just from watching the video. There is not as much view of Downtown from I-77 as there is on I-277. And to top it off with a great Joe Satriani song.
@FreewayAndrew Everyone on Facebook knew, I gave updates the whole day while on the road :) The next video will be even better as the day cleared up nicely.
Hey Freewayjim I notice a lot of your videos, you state when the highway opened and when it was rebuilt or expanded. Just curious, what sources do you get your information from?
@adogg619 Thanks. I get that info from a variety of places: Old maps (I have every Rand McNally atlas from 1956-2011), internet research and personal experiences, some I can tell based on the type of construction seen on the road
Charlotte has a pretty decent (and apparently growing) skyline. I've only been to Charlotte, NC twice; once while connecting flights from the Minneapolis/St. Paul Int'l Airport to Cozumel, Mexico, and once more on the way back.
I caught a nice view of the skyline from the airport terminal, but I wanted to drive downtown while I was there. I never got the chance to.
Oh Charlotte! I loved the song from Joe Satriani on your exquisite video of a grand, beautiful city. Charlotte's unique skyline has been getting wonderful additions lately, most notably the Duke Energy Center. It dominated the view of downtown when you drove onto Highway 74 from Interstate 77.
What Program do you use because I use Windows Live Movie Maker.
seththomas0423 3 weeks ago
@seththomas0423 I use Apple Final Cut Express 4
Freewayjim 3 weeks ago
Excellent drive, whish you would of slowed down besides the downtown to get a better view. When you come to Toronto, I,ll take shots ontop of my Challenger 67. LOL...
ljr3000onforesthill 2 months ago
Great video Jim, I always enjoy visiting Charlotte (usually for a race). Thanks for the ride!!!
cochrab 8 months ago
@cochrab Thanks, glad you liked it!
Freewayjim 8 months ago
been on this interstate plenty of times. you have all the good tunes for highway travel. the satch man.
theratfarmer 9 months ago
I use to go down Independence Blvd/Expressway sometimes when I went to college. During that time I probably saw one bus use the bus lanes on that highway.
lanite1999 9 months ago
Very well done! That stretch of 77 between 85 and 277 is always nerve-wracking ever since they narrowed the lanes to squeeze in that HOV lane back in 2004 and you have people zooming by at 75+ mph. Also, Independence Expressway will eventually be a full freeway to 485 and connect to the new Monroe Bypass toll road. Independence has always reminded me of roads back up in NJ with Jersey barrier in the median (i.e. Route 17 in Bergen County, NJ). Excited to see what else you filmed!
CosmoPhotography 9 months ago
@CosmoPhotography Thank you! I did not know that about Independence Expressway becoming a full freeway to I-485, it seems like a great idea.
Freewayjim 9 months ago
@FreewayJim Another cool view of the skyline is I-77 SB after exiting from I-85 SB. You get a nice glimpse of the buildings as you fly over I-85. When's the next Charlotte video coming? And will you have anything on the I-485 stack junction south of town? I believe it's tallest junction between Atlanta and D.C.
TarHeelWire 9 months ago
@TarHeelWire Thanks, the next video will probably be this weekend, Monday at the latest. The video after that will have the I-77/I-485 stack but I have that on a previous video as well. I think the I-95 at VA-895 interchange just south of Richmond at the Pocahontas Bridge might be taller than 77/485, but not 100% certain.
Freewayjim 9 months ago
@Freewayjim You're right, the 485 stack was probably tallest when it first opened in 1996. That Richmond stack is definitely taller now. Funny thing is the only reason the Richmond stack is so tall (one of tallest in U.S. I'm sure) is b/c there's a ship terminal located just to the north of the interchange on the James River so the stack had to be high enough for the ships to get under it. If they built it a mile farther north, that wouldn't be an issue. I'm sure they did it intentionally, haha
TarHeelWire 9 months ago
@Freewayjim I don't have exact numbers but the more I think about it the ramp from I-26E to US-17N near the Ravenel Bridge in Charleston might be as high or close to it with regards to the 77/485 interchange.
Freewayjim 9 months ago
Excellent.
TarHeelWire 9 months ago
Awesome! Totally rocked! Can't wait to see the next Charlotte video.
georgiaroadgeek 10 months ago
@georgiaroadgeek Thanks, next one should be up in a few days, it is "under construction"
Freewayjim 10 months ago
Very nice. Love your videos.
kdeviljay 10 months ago
@kdeviljay Thank you!
Freewayjim 10 months ago
Awesome video once again - you gotta love Charlotte!
casmatori 10 months ago
@casmatori Thank you!
Freewayjim 10 months ago
lol, Jiffy Pop at the Bojangles, lol lol. A++ FWJ ;.)
0marigolds 10 months ago
@0marigolds Thanks :)
Freewayjim 10 months ago
Sweet video! Charlotte looks very good, but I don't think it's a well-known city outside of North America.
aswchris 10 months ago
@aswchris Thanks, Charlotte is the banking/financial center of the southeast and will become more of a force nationally as time goes by, some say it's already there.
Freewayjim 10 months ago
Nice town. We went to visit last year and thought it was like a mini Atlanta. Great video.
Themadfarter1976 10 months ago
@Themadfarter1976 Thanks!
Freewayjim 10 months ago
I love this town! I get a great vibe every time I visit.
PelicanGuy 10 months ago
Based on what I've seen from both you and Cosmophotography, Charlotte has pretty nicely designed freeways. I'm a bit surprised though, that the connection from I-77 to I-277 is a tight loop ramp. NCDOT will probably get around to upgrading that interchange in the future. Thumbs up for also including US 74; I had always wanted to see what it looked like (I've only seen traffic camera images of it).
FreewayBrent 10 months ago
@FreewayBrent I gotta admit, I've never been impressed with Charlotte's freeways except for that few miles of US-74 east of downtown.
Freewayjim 10 months ago
As I am watching more American road vids, it seems to me that the latest 'update' of roads was in the (mid) 80's. Is that true?
Nice vids by the way *****
keokiracerhalsteren 10 months ago
@keokiracerhalsteren Not really, there is no uniform update, different states updated things at different times and some are still making upgrades and some places like Houston for example are on their 3rd wave of upgrades.
Freewayjim 10 months ago
Thank you!
Freewayjim 10 months ago
@Freewayjim Okay. I just assumed it because Ive seen a lot of videos (like 100+) and most of the latest updates were in the 80s. I guess Ive been watching the wrong vids :P
Im gonna watch more of your vids now, even though its 3 AM here :P
Have a nice day.
keokiracerhalsteren 10 months ago
@keokiracerhalsteren Atlanta had a huge upgrade project in the 80's (Free The Freeways) as did Baltimore but like I said, it's different with other cities/states, there is no "National" project. Boston built the Big Dig 1995-2004, Pittsburgh has never really upgraded and Texas is constantly upgrading to name a few. Glad you enjoy the videos!
Freewayjim 10 months ago
3:52 has the best skyline ever love the new video of the queen city
keithjohnson20988 10 months ago
@keithjohnson20988 Thanks!
Freewayjim 10 months ago
I love watching these! You should do more of the Boston area :D
grandpow 10 months ago
@grandpow Would love to do more of Boston, getting up there is another story.
Freewayjim 10 months ago
sweet video man . loved how the low lying clouds were topping downtown skyline. anyways thanks for sharing..
ScrewdUPClickV2 10 months ago
@ScrewdUPClickV2 Thanks, yeah that was an interesting view with the low clouds.
Freewayjim 10 months ago
@Freewayjim i still gotta figure that inner and outer stuff lol
ScrewdUPClickV2 10 months ago
@ScrewdUPClickV2 It does take a little getting used to, same thing on I-485 (Upcoming video)
Freewayjim 10 months ago
Charlotte reminded me a lot of I-894 in Milwaukee there. Very heavily wooded, and seemed form the same era. Nice video Jim!
FreewayTitan 10 months ago
Charlotte reminded me a lot of I-894 in Milwaukee there. Very heavily wooded, and seemed form the same era. Nice video Jim!
FreewayTitan 10 months ago
Nice video, Jim. Going to do an update video of the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway anytime soon?
Bryant5493 10 months ago
@Bryant5493 Thanks Bryant, I don't think the the Smoky Mts Expressway video really needs an update, what would you suggest? I don't plan on going there either, at least not this year.
Freewayjim 10 months ago
Suprising video, there, since you haven't told us beforehand. But, it's a nice city just from watching the video. There is not as much view of Downtown from I-77 as there is on I-277. And to top it off with a great Joe Satriani song.
FreewayAndrew 10 months ago
@FreewayAndrew Everyone on Facebook knew, I gave updates the whole day while on the road :) The next video will be even better as the day cleared up nicely.
Freewayjim 10 months ago
@Freewayjim
Hey Freewayjim I notice a lot of your videos, you state when the highway opened and when it was rebuilt or expanded. Just curious, what sources do you get your information from?
By the way another great video!
adogg619 10 months ago
@adogg619 Thanks. I get that info from a variety of places: Old maps (I have every Rand McNally atlas from 1956-2011), internet research and personal experiences, some I can tell based on the type of construction seen on the road
Freewayjim 10 months ago
@McBearPEI Just lucky on the motorbike. I'm not aware of any Charlotte Motor Speedway videos.
Freewayjim 10 months ago
Charlotte has a pretty decent (and apparently growing) skyline. I've only been to Charlotte, NC twice; once while connecting flights from the Minneapolis/St. Paul Int'l Airport to Cozumel, Mexico, and once more on the way back.
I caught a nice view of the skyline from the airport terminal, but I wanted to drive downtown while I was there. I never got the chance to.
Thanks for showing me around town!
Bradhahn14 10 months ago
@Bradhahn14 You're welcome, it's a great "young" skyline, the next video will show it off even better.
Freewayjim 10 months ago
Wow pretty good
interstateruler 10 months ago
@interstateruler Thanks!
Freewayjim 10 months ago
Oh Charlotte! I loved the song from Joe Satriani on your exquisite video of a grand, beautiful city. Charlotte's unique skyline has been getting wonderful additions lately, most notably the Duke Energy Center. It dominated the view of downtown when you drove onto Highway 74 from Interstate 77.
Reiser86 10 months ago
@Reiser86 Love the skyline! the next video will show it off better.
Freewayjim 10 months ago
Awesome work on this!
Pikachu25sci90vt 10 months ago
@Pikachu25sci90vt Thank you!
Freewayjim 10 months ago
Joe Satrani fits into a lot of driving videos and i love his music cause of that
yertv98 10 months ago
@yertv98 Same here!
Freewayjim 10 months ago